# “Damn fool war” has damn good consequence. HA! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 8, 2004, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255 "2004-06-08T09:37:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/1 "2004-06-08T09:37:10Z")
In an effort to get re-elected and show that he had “done something” after 9-11, with the added bonus of establishing Mid East presence and relying less on Saudi oil, George invaded Iraq. One of his problems now is that Iraq has a debt to the World Bank of $90Bn. So **George** asks the G8: “Can we all agree to write 90% of it off?” “Hold on there” says **Tony** Blair. “Look, why don’t we, you know, write it _all_ off?” **George** : “Atta boy, Tony. You see that, you bunch of miserable Commies? Our shoulders are goddam _chafing_ with all the shoulder-to-shoulder action me and Tony have been… **Tony** : “Err, no, look, actually George, I meant _all of it_. The 41 Highly Indebted Poor Countries, you know? _All_ of their debt.” **George** pales visibly. “But that would cost us $1Bn per year, _for ever!_” **Tony** grins, his atrocious teeth making his manic smile all the more disturbing. **George** sags. He knows he’s been out-manoeuvred. Would he _ever_ have agreed to such wide-ranging debt relief if he hadn’t needed the favour of UN backing for his ‘plan’ in Iraq? Why, he’d be a monkey’s uncle! [He agrees](http://www.guardian.co.uk/g8/story/0,13365,1233795,00.html). Backed into a corner, he has been manipulated into actually making the world a better place. Who knows, in the long run, from a [utilitarian](http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/consequentialism/) perspective, the Iraq invasion might even overall be a _good_ thing! Suck it up, debt-relief opponents. “National interest” has, on this occasion at least, been beaten by the Greater Good. No doubt it will soon be back, whoring its fat derriere around the world stage while right-wing politicians rush to violate all of its many orifices. But let us, for one brief, shining moment, celebrate its defeat. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/2 "2004-06-08T09:41:34Z")
If this happens it is good news indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/3 "2004-06-08T10:44:37Z")
While I enjoyed the little faux-dialogue, why would Bush neccesarily be ‘tricked’ into doing this? He is blowing 15 billion on AIDS in Africa, along with other goofy social programs. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/4 "2004-06-08T10:49:10Z")
I didn’t say “trickes”, I said ‘manouevred’ and ‘manipulated’. This genuinely was a last-minute climbdown on his part. If he thought it was such a good idea all along, he would have agreed instantly or suggested it _himself_. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/5 "2004-06-08T11:00:32Z")
I thought he did. Didn’t he mention forgiving debts in his State of the Union speech or something? ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/6 "2004-06-08T11:24:15Z")
> [@](#): > > Didn’t he mention forgiving debts in his State of the Union speech or something? He [made promising noises](http://www.guardian.co.uk/debt/Story/0,2763,1203298,00.html) but still [consistently opposed full cancellation](http://www.guardian.co.uk/g8/story/0,13365,967244,00.html) and has delivered (along with other G8 nations, admittedly) only 20% even of that agreed back in 1999. This is a major breakthrough. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/7 "2004-06-08T11:38:50Z")
Hehe, good one Blair. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/8 "2004-06-08T12:00:46Z")
Haven’t I seen that movie? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/9 "2004-06-08T13:12:25Z")
> [@SentientMeat](#): > > I didn’t say “trickes”, I said ‘manouevred’ and ‘manipulated’. This genuinely was a last-minute climbdown on his part. If he thought it was such a good idea all along, he would have agreed instantly or suggested it _himself_. Now, look, surely you can’t be implying that Bush _changed his mind_ on this, can you? Surely you’re not saying he _altered his position_? When we all know he stays the course with steely determination and unwavering rigidity. You can’t possibly be suggesting our Unyielding Leader has flip-flopped? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/10 "2004-06-08T16:36:48Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > While I enjoyed the little faux-dialogue, why would Bush neccesarily be ‘tricked’ into doing this? He is blowing 15 billion on AIDS in Africa, along with other goofy social programs. Trying to prevent untold numbers of deaths is a “goofy social program”? Not that W deserves a great deal of credit for the $15B for AIDS plan anyway, much of the money is just being shifted from other programs and there’s that whole “no money for groups who discuss birth control or abortion” gag rule and all. ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/11 "2004-06-08T16:51:37Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > While I enjoyed the little faux-dialogue, why would Bush neccesarily be ‘tricked’ into doing this? He is blowing 15 billion on AIDS in Africa, along with other goofy social programs. I thought that money was going to his buddies in big pharma. Interesting that the head of that program is a former CEO of a big pharma company with no experience in public health or AIDS whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/12 "2004-06-08T16:52:37Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > He is blowing 15 billion on AIDS in Africa, along with other goofy social programs. You. Fucking. Asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/13 "2004-06-08T16:52:55Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > While I enjoyed the little faux-dialogue, why would Bush neccesarily be ‘tricked’ into doing this? He is blowing 15 billion on AIDS in Africa, along with other goofy social programs. You really are an ignorant moron, aren’t you? I was unsure up until now, but it seems it just comes naturally for you, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/14 "2004-06-08T17:35:04Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > He is blowing 15 billion on AIDS in Africa, along with other goofy social programs. I’m really looking forward to your attempt at explaining this one. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/15 "2004-06-08T17:55:55Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > He is blowing 15 billion on AIDS in Africa, along with other goofy social programs. Please elaborate. How is this a waste of money? On preview - Apparently I’m not the only one who’s curious about this statement. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/16 "2004-06-08T17:57:31Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > He is blowing 15 billion on AIDS in Africa… Goddamn, his jaw must be _SORE!_ ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/17 "2004-06-08T18:06:48Z")
Well it looks like his gambit worked, it looks like the UN security council is going to vote 15-0 in favor of the US resolution. [http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/06/08/un.iraq/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/06/08/un.iraq/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/18 "2004-06-08T18:31:26Z")
I’d be more impressed if the $1 billion/year was _his_ money, instead of the nation’s. Still, if it makes Bush squirm, it can’t be _that_ bad. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/19 "2004-06-08T18:54:30Z")
I think **Brutus** is just having a little sport, trying to lessen the enjoyment of this brief victory of Greater Good over the National Interest with some sour grapes - he’ll only take perverse comfort from you indulging him. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2004, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255/20 "2004-06-08T19:21:41Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Trying to prevent untold numbers of deaths is a “goofy social program”?.. Ya, that is all that matters. Trying. God forbid that we lay down the law, since that would be ‘_cultural imperialism_’. Nope, we need to let Africa run itself into the ground, then show up during halftime to try to clean up the mess. (In a consequence-free manner, of course.) As long as we are ‘trying’, golly, 15 billion is a small price to pay! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-fool-war-has-damn-good-consequence-ha/249255.md?page=2)